Hello everyone & Happy Saturday!! I’m back with a fun double-function post. I want my readers to continually get to know the other ladies behind Love and Splendor, so I thought it would be fun to have Anna and Michelle do their own “fab finds” posts for the summertime. I know it is already August but with the heatwave enveloping our country, I think we are still set with weeks of sunshine ahead. Read on to learn about Michelle’s “summer essentials” and then enter below for a chance to WIN some of her very favorite things. xoxo, Angel

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Hello everybody!! This is officially my first post on the L&S blog. So exciting!! I will, hopefully, be contributing to the Fab Finds posts every now and again and I wanted to get you my Summer Fab Finds before the season is over! This summer has been extremely busy for the L&S team and I’m personally looking forward to some downtime this month. We only have one, albeit huge, wedding this month, taking place at one our our favorite venues, Saddlerock Ranch. We have had our hands full with some absolutely beautiful and terrific weddings which I can’t wait for Angel to post details on. In the meantime, enjoy the things I’m currently loving:

I bought these shorts in Abyss Pigment about a month ago and I must say, I AM IN LOVE. I’m typically not a fan of shorts, but there was something about the sheer comfort of them the second I put them on. They are a great pair of shorts that can be worn to the beach, running around doing errands, setting up for a wedding or a casual dinner out. I literally could sleep in them! I walked into their boutique, saw the sales girl wearing them with a white James Perse lightweight fleece sweatshirt and left the store with the exact same outfit! I have a slight love for anything or anyone that matches and somehow I felt like she could be my long lost twin a few states over. Whenever I put them on it makes me smile.

During the summer I love to be as make-up free, as possible. But there are two products I am absolutely loving right now for their complete simplicity – one being my Maybelline mascara. The eyes are the first point of reference when you meet someone so why not make sure those lashes look long and beautiful! I have tried many mascaras – Great Lash, Lash Blast, Voluminous, but I’ve been using this one for months now and am thrilled with the results. No more than two swipes are needed and it adds such length for the dramatic look you want whether day or night!

Welcome to the next product I am currently loving. I have this in Sunny, which they don’t seem to have currently on their website, but it adds such a subtle hint of color to my cheeks while still looking completely natural. It’s easy to apply – simply swipe the stick along your cheeks and blend in with the back of your hand – voila! With the inexpensive price tag ($8) and the compact size it’s a great product to have in your make-up bag this summer.

Say hello to my little friend. I discovered these a few months ago and let me first just say I’m sorry to anyone who does not live close to a Trader Joes’s. Because these little bite size bananas are the most scrumptious things ever! Not only is the packaging the cutest thing ever (hello little monkey man!), but it’s the perfect balance of banana and chocolate. I seriously have to stop myself from eating the whole bag in one sitting!

It took me a while to get on board with the coconut water craze, but I’ve finally found one and I’m addicted! O.N.E. (One Natural Experience) Coconut Water in Passion Fruit. It comes in a variety of flavors based on your personal preference – natural, pink guava, pineapple or mango…but passion fruit is divine. The Splash line still provides all the health benefits of drinking pure coconut water, but like the name says is given an extra splash of flavor. It’s a great source of electrolytes and has more potassium than a banana. It’s available at many local grocery stores or can be purchased directly online. But make sure it’s cold when you drink it – don’t make the same mistake I did by thinking room temperature coconut water will be fine…it’s not!

INSTRUCTIONS: To enter this giveaway, please comment below and let us know what your favorite “summer essential” is. It could be a refreshing treat, a charming seaside restaurant, that perfect maxi dress or an indispensable pair of sunnies. Just let us know what you’re loving this season! You have until TUESDAY, AUGUST 9th at 3p PST to comment/enter. A randomly selected winner will receive a selection of Michelle’s summer essentials listed above.

michelle is so cute! what an awesome giveaway. let’s see, my summer essential would have to be Laura Gellar’s powder foundation. i’m super lazy with my makeup, especially in the summer, and a sweep of this gives me a healthy glow without melting in the sun.

Terry:August 6, 2011

my favorite summer essential is my Got2b rockstar hold hairspray! i love it, i use it almost everyday to style my hair!

My summer essential is cocoa butter! My skin always gets so dry during the summer and its a win win to smell like cocoa and not be flaky!

Nelly:August 7, 2011

I love summer! I just picked up STAY PUT eyelid primer from Benefit. LOVE IT! My eyeshadow doesn’t go anywhere plus it gives a bit of concealer for those pesky under eye circles.

Anna:August 7, 2011

Hoping I can enter this giveaway!! Mich has been non-stop talking about these items, and I even watched her drink that coconut water tonight before we hit the town. :). One of my fave summer essentials is my nars blush in orgasm. I know, kinda my fave thing year round, but during the summer, I also like to minimize the makeup, so a little blush, a little mascara…and boom! Off to conquer the world!

Sumyra:August 7, 2011

Cute giveaway. My fave summer essential is staying hydrated, so that means ice cold water with a slice of lemon.

Elisabeth:August 7, 2011

My summer essential is something I discovered this summer, Eucerin’s Everyday Protection lotion for my face! It is awesome-not sticky at all! Yay for SPF!

Valerie:August 7, 2011

My giraffe flip flops

michelle:August 7, 2011

yay! i love hearing all about what other people are loving right now. thanks for the comments ladies!

In the summer, I live in skirts and sundresses. My jeans pretty much don’t see the light of day until the fall. My summer staple has always been my rainbow sandals. I’m an Orange County girl, so I grew up with them and there are no other comfy sandals that compare.

My summer love is my new tom ford sunglasses. they make me feel and look fab!

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I’m Angel and I’m so glad you’re here! This blog chronicles my life as a wife, mother, and event planner & designer on the California coast. Here you’ll find everyday inspiration, musings on motherhood, our wedding design work and glimpses of daily life. It’s an eclectic mix of all the beautiful things in my world!